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Cheering Volunteering is back for 2016

Following the success of this year’s event, Cheering Volunteering will return in 2016.

The first Central Bedfordshire Cheering Volunteering event took place at the Grove Theatre, in Dunstable, in June 2015, with more than 400 people enjoying the celebration and awards evening.

The Grove will again host the 2016 awards, which will take place on Tuesday, 7 June – at the end of National Volunteers’ Week – and will be compered by Tom Jones impersonator Billy Lee, who was a huge hit with the crowd at this year’s event.

The event is organised by Central Bedfordshire Council, working in partnership with the Volunteer Centres as part of Central Bedfordshire Together, to say thank you to those who give their time to help others.

Last time seven awards were presented on the night, with winners ranging from A-level student Helen Mountford, who has been volunteering at Leighton Buzzard Children’s Theatre for more than four years, to octogenarian John Buxton, who has been working to maintain green sites across Bedfordshire for most of his life.

There will again be seven awards in 2016:
• Young Volunteer of the Year
• Volunteer of the Year
• Volunteer Group of the Year
• Outstanding Contribution
• Lifetime Achievement
• Fundraiser of the Year.
• Panel’s Choice

Nominations will open on Monday, 11 January, 2016 – the same day that free tickets to the event will become available from the Grove Theatre’s website.

Councillor Carole Hegley, Executive Member for Social Care and Housing at Central Bedfordshire Council, who led the event said: “I am delighted that Cheering Volunteering will be returning for 2016 and I hope that it will be even bigger and better than ever.”

Cllr Caroline Maudlin, Deputy Executive Member for Stronger Communities, added: “The first awards evening was an fantastic night and it was brilliant to see such a great turnout to celebrate the often unheralded work which volunteers do across Central Bedfordshire.

“Hearing about the amazing work which they do and the impact which it has on the individuals and groups who benefit was incredibly humbling. Helping others by volunteering can be so rewarding, and with local businesses sponsoring this event it is a great way for us to celebrate and thank your volunteers for what they do.

“So, if you want to say thank you to a special volunteer or volunteers, please put them forward for an award when nominations open next month. And make sure you book your free tickets for the event too, as you are guaranteed a great night out.”